Joey from China

Wisconsin Lutheran High School senior Joey Gu of Shanghai earned a place in the school’s Top 10 for academic achievement, a distinction shaped not only by strong grades, but by the level of educational rigor he chose.

 

Throughout his four years at WLHS, Joey consistently enrolled in honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or college-level courses. Rather than avoiding challenges to protect his rank, Joey chose the harder path. His academic standing reflects his ability to grow under pressure.

That mindset says a lot about Joey. He is driven, competitive, and constantly measuring himself against his own potential. He credits that drive to expectations that have always been part of his life. Academic success has never been optional for him, but WLHS gave him something new: balance.

Before coming to Wisconsin, Joey’s daily life focused almost entirely on academics. At WLHS, those standards remained high, but his experience expanded. Alongside challenging coursework, he developed physically through athletics and discovered new strengths beyond the classroom. As a self-proclaimed “city kid,” running long distances on trails was something completely new. The sport of Cross Country taught him endurance, discipline, and time management. Practices often lasted two hours after school, and on competition days, he would not return to the dorms until late evening. Homework still had to get done.

“You have to organize your life properly,” Joey explains. “You learn to treat time as a resource.” That lesson, he believes, will matter long after high school.

Joey is quick to admit that his academic journey at WLHS required perseverance. Honors Biology was especially challenging his freshman year due to gaps in background knowledge and scientific vocabulary.  Another difficulty was adjusting to the grading scale. “It is easy to pass, but not easy to get an A,” he says.  

However, among all his classes, Economics stood out as a joy. Joey took multiple courses with Mr. Goede, including Macroeconomics and other business-related classes.

“He gives a lot of real examples,” Joey says. “Mr. Goede talks about things happening now in the world, like economic relationships between China and the U.S. It helps you understand better.”

Joey found that AP Economics gave him a strong foundation for college-level learning. After attending summer programs at universities, he realized how valuable that foundation was. “You need what is basic in order to go deeper,” he explains.

One of Joey’s favorite parts of WLHS has been dorm life. Living with students from different countries pushed him out of his comfort zone and helped him integrate socially.

“The school encourages you to live with people from different cultures,” he says. “They give you American mentors to help you connect socially.” WLHS’ Mentor Program pairs each new international student with a supportive American classmate to help them adjust during their first year at Wisco. Monthly group events include activities of culture sharing, celebrations of American and international holidays, foods, traditions, games, and more.

 

That support made a difference, especially since many American students already had friend groups from grade school. “They help you feel like you belong,” Joey says. 

Joey also credits the school counselors for their efficiency and experience. “If I request something one day, they usually get it done the next,” he says. “They know what students need and guide you step by step.”

He has applied to around 19 universities, including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Virginia, and the University of Illinois. While he is interested in Economics, he also wants exposure to Computer Science to keep future job options open. “I am not picky,” he says. “I want more choices later.”

Joey plans to stay in the U.S.A. for college and possibly pursue a Master’s degree. While he does not love every aspect of being a student, he sees education as a strategic investment. “It gives better options,” he says.

Compared to staying in China, Joey believes he would have felt more limited, both physically and personally. WLHS gave him space to explore his abilities, push his limits, and grow beyond academics. If he had to describe WLHS in a few words, Joey chooses: focus, involvement, competition, and inclusiveness.

For younger students hoping to follow in his footsteps, his advice is straightforward. “Take challenging classes. Be consistent. Do the hard thing.”

And knowing Joey, he probably is not finished climbing yet.